An Introduction to the English Society at MSVU

This is the first in a series of posts by Kyle Cross that will be appearing on this blog. Kyle, a fourth-year honours student, has been hired as the English Department’s media assistant for this year. Look for more of Kyle’s posts in the coming weeks on a variety of topics, such as where to find essay help, how to write a resumé, and what are some of the best café / writing spaces around town.

An Introduction to the English Society
–Kyle Cross

Hello MSVU English students and other members of the Mount community and beyond. Welcome to my first post! Today, I’d like to introduce you to the co-presidents of the MSVU English Society, acquaint you their designated university space (Seton 555), and tell you about some upcoming events that they are hosting.

Pictured above are the executives of your English Society, Hope Tohme (left) and Katie O’Brien (right). They share an interest in nineteenth-century literature, including the Gothic genre. Hope is a third-year English Major. Her favourite novel is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which is alternatively titled The Modern Prometheus; in Greek mythology, Prometheus is the rebellious Titan who stole fire from Mount Olympus and then gave it to humanity, actions for which he suffered and was tormented by Zeus – yet I digress. Although Hope loves the Gothic writing of Shelley, her primary areas of interest are contemporary literature and poststructuralist literary theory.

Hope’s favourite event which the English Society hosts is the always-comical Bad Poetry Reading, where students and faculty showcase their performance skills by reading some of the worst, most embarrassing poetical compositions by recognizable and lesser-known poets alike. Keep your eyes peeled for posters and other announcements about this event, which will take place next term in January.

Katie is also a third-year English Major, and she loves the Gothic; her favourite novel is The Picture of Dorian Gray – one of my favourites from the Victorian era. Like Hope, Katie employs poststructuralist theory to analyze literary texts, especially postmodern literature. The event that she’s most looking forward to is the English Society’s End-of-Term Party, which is coming up soon! She tells me that it’s a great way to unwind and commemorate all of the hard work students have done during the term. The party will take place at Vinnie’s Pub (the campus bar) on Wednesday, December 7th, from 4:30 pm until, well, until the staff members at Vinnie’s kick us out. Because Vinnie’s hosts both dry and wet functions, all students are welcome! Come and join us on the 7th of December to celebrate the completion of the fall term in true holiday fashion.

Note: Ugly holiday sweaters are not mandatory, but they are welcomed and encouraged.

Speaking of great events, the Society is also hosting a bake sale on Wednesday, November 30th from 11:00 – 1:30 on the fifth floor of the Seton Academic Centre (SAC), in the English Corner, which is between rooms 510 and 511. You will not – I repeat, you will NOT – want to miss this year’s bake sale if you love festive treats, especially if you recall what was on offer for their Halloween bake sale. The Society will be selling holiday-themed baked goods, so bring your milk and your merry self, and treat yourself to some scrumptious goodies made by the jolly executives of the English Society themselves.

For those of you who don’t know, the MSVU English Society is located on the fifth floor of the SAC, in room 555 (easy to remember!). It is a cozy room filled with lots of books to read and with chairs and settees for relaxing. For information on upcoming events in both the English Department and the academic community of Halifax, check out the English Society bulletin board.

If you’re in need of some relaxation while you write that end-of-term paper, which might feel overwhelming at times, come to room 555 and enjoy a comforting, warm steeped tea from David’s Tea. Hope and Katie welcome all students to stop by for a cup of tea; their door is always open.

If you need somewhere to store those leftovers you brought to school, the English Society has got you covered! And if you need to heat up said leftovers, come on in and warm up your food before class. You’re always welcome to use the fridge and microwave in the Society room.

The Society room is also a relaxed and enclosed environment in which to read and write, and it’s never crowded. Check it out for yourself and get acquainted with your peers! I guarantee that if you build social solidarity with your fellow students, your time here at the Mount will be much more enjoyable and less stressful. Establishing a sense of community in any institution will make you feel like you’re part of a family, regardless of how far you are from home. Take it from me, Kyle Cross, a fourth-year English student who came to the Mount completely alone, but who now sees familiar and friendly faces everyday.

If you have ANY questions at all about the MSVU English Society, if you’d like to get involved with the Society, or if you have any ideas for blog posts, whether in regards to the English Society or not, feel free to e-mail either me, Hope, or Katie.